Oprah Winfrey has been drawn into a New York court battle involving Russell Simmons and former music executive Drew Dixon, who says Simmons defamed her after she accused him of rape. Dixon’s legal team is asking for documents and recorded material Winfrey may have had while working on a scrapped documentary about the claims.
The original incident stems from an alleged sexual assault in 1995. Dixon came forward in 2017 with the accusation. Simmons publicly denied the claim in a 2023 interview, calling the allegations false and suggesting the women might have had ulterior motives.
The defamation lawsuit was filed by Dixon in 2024 after Simmons dismissed the claims again. He said the accounts lacked credibility and hinted that Winfrey had access to material that called their accuracy into question.
Winfrey was originally attached to the 2020 documentary On the Record, which explored stories of women accusing Simmons of misconduct. She ultimately distanced herself from the production but said she still believed the accusers.
Despite publicly supporting the women, Simmons claimed Winfrey’s departure was based on findings that cast doubt on the narratives. Winfrey’s explanation was that the creative direction of the project no longer aligned with her standards.
Dixon’s legal team is now seeking clarification. The subpoena calls for Winfrey to appear for a deposition and supply any content — including notes, interviews and communications — that relates to the women’s claims and her decision to exit the film.
The subpoena does not state whether Winfrey has agreed to participate. The case remains active in the New York State Supreme Court.
Simmons has not been arrested or charged in connection with Dixon’s allegations or any other related claims.
